United States Files Civil Forfeiture Complaint Against Test Flying Academy of South Africa

The United States Department of Justice has filed a civil forfeiture complaint to seize two anti-submarine warfare mission crew trainers that were intercepted while being shipped from South Africa to China’s People’s Liberation Army. The trainers, manufactured by the Test Flying Academy of South Africa, were allegedly designed to support training in airborne early warning and ASW missions. According to US officials, former Western ASW specialists provided expertise on the design, which could accelerate Chinese naval aviation proficiency. The FBI is leading the investigation into TFASA’s alleged role as a conduit for Chinese military training.